The world’s most revered medical journal – “The Lancet” has lambasted prime minister Narendra Modi for ignoring India’s health sector and has warned that India is on the verge of a collapse under the weight of its own ill health. The journal will take Modi to task for failing to make health his priority, side lining his poll promise of rolling out universal health coverage and not investing in public health with a paper which will be published on December 11, written by some of the world’s foremost experts. In an exclusive interview to TOI, on the side lines of the Global Maternal New born health conference, Lancet’s editor-in-chief Richard Horton said “I don’t see any new policies, any new ideas, any significant public commitment and most importantly no financial commitment to the health sector.
Horton said “Since Modi has come in, health has completely vanished. India is on the edge. If PM Modi does not tackle health, India’s economy combined with rising population is not sustainable. For India, health is an issue of national security. The government cannot protect the sovereignty of its nation, cannot ensure sustainability unless it has a healthy population. At present Modi has done nothing much to tackle the challenge”. Horton added “At the moment, India is on the edge and it can take two routes. It can take a route of investing in health and investing in its people and creating a thriving and flourishing future for India which has a part to play in world affairs or it can do what it is doing now and ignore health it which case it will see epidemics sweep across the country creating an unsustainable future and destroying national security. I really think that it is that serious. At the moment PM Modi has not made up his mind on which choice he is going to take”.

According to Horton, failing to combat non communicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease and reduce maternal and child health will cost India’s health system and social care “enormously making India collapse”. Horton sad the Dec 11 paper will challenge the Mod government on universal health coverage and what it has done. “Frankly, not much,” Horton added. “In the paper, we will talk about health financing and service delivery. The problem in India is that health has just completely dropped off the political agenda. Before Modi came in, health was an issue that wasn’t as high in the agenda as it should have been but it was definitely on the agenda. Since Modi has come in, health has completely vanished and this is a desperate predicament for the Indian population not having health as a central political objective of the government,” Horton said. According to the Lancet editor, rolling out universal health coverage (UHC) for all India should be an absolute priority for the government. “If president Obama can make the healthcare care act one of his central priorities, why can’t PM Modi make UHC his political objective,” Horton added.
So what are the main issues Horton wants India to focus on?

“The main issue is the lack of investment in the public health system and the growth of an unregulated private sector. And this imbalance between the unregulated private sector and the quality of care in many cases appalling compared with the public system that is struggling to meet the demands of the rising population. On top of it although there has been progress with child and maternal mortality, India has the highest number of child and new born deaths. It is not just an issue of national concern but of that of national shame for the Indian government and should propel it in making health one of its central objectives. Where India stands with maternal and child health is a major concern. There are still 600,000 under five deaths in India, maternal mortality is still very high”. “Maternal and child care are indicators of civilized society. Civilized society should not be letting its mothers and daughters die. India wants to play a larger role in the world, wants to be in the security council of the United Nations, which are very legitimate objectives for India. I don’t think it can claim to be a world leader when it allows so many of its children and mothers to die of abject poverty”.

So what does Horton want Modi to do?

“Increasing percentage of GDP spent on public health system and seeing his personal leadership in UHC, in reducing rates of child and maternal mortality and addressing the epidemic of NCDs. Those should his three absolute priorities for health,” Horton added. India currently spends about 1% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on public health.

Network 7 Media Group is the flagship media of SB Brand Network & is a new age digital media company based in India. In an era where world's biggest personalities & brands are heavily focused on building the image through digital media world, Network 7 Media Group is an attempt by a group of passionate & crazy professionals. Since its inception, the initiatives of Network 7 Media Group has always been out of the blues, unconventional & path-breaking. We believe that unless we are charged & not given a electric shock in our mission to achieve something new, we don't feel like taking up the assignments as we believe that uniqueness in the product & original in its concept are the twin mantras that drive us, while we may be mocked & often criticized by others of being 'risky & unthinkable', only to prove them wrong once we finish the assignment in style & perfection with success. We are often leveled by our critics of being 'unimaginable mindset' & 'unconventional player'. We take these criticism as compliments & feel proud to break the laws to create a new innovation & ideas that are trendsetting. We attempt to create a new mindset of thought process. We convert ideas into actions, challenges into opportunities & dreams to realities. Network 7 Media Group has given birth to some of the excellent media properties in the form of a news media & are widely acclaimed for its independent & unbiased journalism. We have been in the limelight for bringing a change in approach, attitude & a new way of looking. We dont follow a fixed set of rules, regulations, rather we innovate our thinking to experiment with the truth often neglected by the established players. We are fearless, strong & independent.

Categories

Post Gallery

How to make India future-ready? In an era of ever changing uncertainties.The truth of the matter is India’s monumental blunder years after years in preparing for the future. Have you ever realized that you are remembered only once in five year to vote & the rest of the time, you are treated as an unwanted object.Corruption? Incompetence? Bad planning?. Political corruption is always hard to fathom. Sure, greed typically is the devil paving the road toward graft. But the potential consequences are so severe for persons held in high esteem you would think any sane politician would run from the risk. Indian Affairs led by Satya Brahma, the visionary founder chairman & Editor—In-Chief of the illustrious Network 7 Media Group attempts to make an impact as he makes you the supreme.